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Firewall, AOL, and Modem Use

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horqua

Technical User
Aug 24, 2001
172
US
I'm helping a friend with his Win98 system. He uses a regular dedicated phone line (not DSL) and AOL in his business and he's connected throughout the workday.

My question, should I recommend he use a firewall program such as Zone Alarm or McAfee Firewall on his system?

After this weeks virus and worm attacks, I want to help him remain protected but I'm not sure how useful a firewall would be under his circumstances.

Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Seek and ye shall find! [peace]

I love Mondays cause they're the Second day of the week!
 
I don't believe Windows 98 is vulnerable to the recent rash of viruses. I do recommend he keep Windows updated with all the latest critical patches and always regularly update anti-virus. Since he is connected even through dial-up he should really use a firewall like ZoneAlarm or one of several other good software firewalls. Yes, even though he's on dial-up he needs a firewall.

Jazzgirl
 
Any computer now a days should have some Form of a Firewall working on their system. Be it a Dialup, DSL, Cable, etc. I use a dialup at home(bleh!) and still run 2 firewalls(Norton and ZoneAlarm) and am continually amazed at the amount of hits I take from malicious prying eyes. Though the current Worm is going crazy using XP/NT/2000 technology, there is still a ton out there to work their way into a 98.


Just my opinion,
Banzai

p.s. ZoneAlarm works pretty nicely for a freebie.

p.p.s to find a few patch/update/thingies to help older systems secure themselves.

Wherever you go, there you are...
 
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